Mujibur Rahman Khairul Muluk, Asti Amelia Novita, Wishnu Mahendra Wiswayana
As the world strives to achieve sustainable urban development, cities such as Malang, Indonesia, face significant obstacles arising from rapid urbanization, economic development, and growing populations. Despite initiatives such as the thematic village aimed at integrating different aspects of community participation, Malang still struggles with persistent slums associated with poverty. This study applies the soft systems methodology (SSM) framework to examine the dynamics of collaborative governance in thematic village development in Malang. The findings of this study go beyond slum beautification to harnessing the unique potential of villages for tourism and promoting local economic growth. It demonstrates the diverse collaboration between community groups, NGOs, academia, and local businesses. However, challenges remain, particularly in ensuring sustainable funding, maintenance, and governance. The study emphasizes the significance of collaborative partnerships in addressing urban development challenges and identifies key elements, including information sharing, joint action, and strengthening resources and capacities. Nevertheless, reliance on external funding poses sustainability risks, and effective maintenance strategies are required for the long-term survival of themed villages as tourist destinations. ©2025 The authors.
Faculty of Administrative Science, University of Brawijaya, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
